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Police Officer

Pirihimana

Police officers work to prevent and solve crime, keep the peace, and respond to criminal activities and emergencies.

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Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but maths, English, physical education and social studies to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful.

Study fields

Useful experience

Useful experience for police officers includes:

  • work with a community group
  • being part of a community patrol
  • sports coaching
  • being a mentor for young people
  • volunteering or fundraising.

What you will do

Police officers may do some or all of the following:

  • patrol on foot or by car
  • help people in emergencies
  • investigate crimes, domestic disturbances, crashes and sudden deaths
  • interview people and take statements
  • search for and arrest suspected criminals
  • write reports
  • give evidence in court
  • direct traffic 
  • work with schools to provide safety and crime prevention education. 

Skills and knowledge

Police officers need to have:

  • knowledge of police policy and procedures, the legal system and community support services
  • skills in observation
  • skills in interviewing, problem solving and negotiation.
Pay

Police officers with one to four years’ experience usually earn

$75K-$83K

per year

Job opportunities
Average
Chances of getting a job as a police officer are average due to high competition for vacancies.
Length of training
<1
year of training required.

Industry

Public Order and Safety

Police officers work to prevent and solve crime, keep the peace, and respond to criminal activities and emergencies.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a police officer you need to complete the police training course, inluding:

  • 20 weeks' training at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua
  • two years of supervised police work, which is regularly assessed.

To enter police training you must:

  • be at least 17 when you apply, and 18 years old when you start at Police College
  • hold a full New Zealand driver licence (you can apply with your restricted licence, but must have a full licence before you start at Police College)
  • be a New Zealand or Australian citizen or have New Zealand residency or New Zealand permanent residency
  • be able to speak, read, write and listen in English
  • pass academic tests
  • pass physical fitness tests and receive a medical clearance
  • have good eyesight 
  • attend an interview and job preview sessions
  • notify police of any previous traffic or criminal offences 
  • provide a police clearance for any country you've worked or lived in for longer than three months.

The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.

Chances of getting a job

High competition for police officer vacancies

Chances of getting a job as a police officer are average as there is high competition for limited vacancies.

According to the Census, 9831 police officers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Demand for police officers varies between regions

Increase your chances of getting a job by applying in regions where New Zealand Police are recruiting.

Diversity valued in police force   

New Zealand Police encourages applications from people of all cultures, genders, sexualities and backgrounds so they can better serve the needs of New Zealand's diverse communities. 

One employer of police officers

All police officers are employed by New Zealand Police. 

Find out more about training

NZ Police recruitment
0800 639 2677 - www.newcops.govt.nz

Progression and specialisations

Police officers may progress to leadership positions such as detective or sergeant.

Police officers may join a specialised police unit such as:

  • armed offenders squad
  • child protection team
  • dog handling
  • forensics
  • road policing
  • search and rescue
  • youth aid.

Working conditions

Police officers:

  • usually work shifts, including nights and weekends 
  • work in a variety of locations, including offices, courts, and rural areas
  • may be at risk of verbal or physical abuse
  • may travel around the country and overseas to help investigate crimes or attend conferences.

Physical Requirements

Police officers need to have:

  • excellent fitness and health 
  • good hearing
  • normal colour vision
  • good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses). 

Useful personal qualities

Police officers need to be:

  • excellent communicators
  • able to relate to and have empathy for people from all cultures and backgrounds
  • mature and responsible, and able to keep information private
  • good at solving problems and making decisions
  • patient and helpful with a sense of humour
  • honest and committed to people's safety
  • disciplined and able to remain calm in emergencies
  • good at written and verbal reporting
  • able to work as part of a team.

Industry

Public Order and Safety

Police officers work to prevent and solve crime, keep the peace, and respond to criminal activities and emergencies.

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